The Portuguese government has issued a an international public  tender for the development of the Vasco da Gama container terminal at the Port of Sines, seeking a concessionaire who would invest in the project.

According to the government sources, public tender will for a concession period of 50 years with an investment of 642 million euros, adding that the specifications include the construction and operation project, with a deadline of nine months for the submission of proposals.

The Minister of the Sea Ana Paula Vitorino said that the tender will be awarded in the last quarter of 2020 and the terminal should be completed in 2024. The new terminal will have an annual handling capacity of 3.5 million TEU.

The terminal facility would be capable of hosting 24,000 TEU boxship giants thanks to a 1,375 meter quay with three simultaneous docking positions.

The Port Authority has developed the preliminary layout shown in the side image but the future concessionaire may present an alternative layout. The concessionaire is responsible for the design and construction of the new Terminal, ensuring financing and respecting any environmental constraints, said the company.